THE RAILWAY INQUIRY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 47, 7 February 1920, Page 7

THE RAILWAY INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT’S ANSWER

TO FIRST DIVISION CLAIM

NO LACK OF SYMPATHY TO STAFF S ASPIRATIONS

Wellington, Feb. 6. Tho Reply of the Railway Department to the claims of the First Division of tho Railway Service, was made at to-day’s sitting of the Railway Service Board. Mr. Macdonald (Assistant General Manager) said he was disappointed in the manner in which the Institute had presented its case. There had been a regrettable absence on the part of some speakers, of fairness and moderation, which was conspicuously a characteristic of previous executives of the Institute. in their relations with the management. The charge made by a member of tho Officers’ Institute, that the Department sweated clerks at stations, for ihe purpose or augmenting its

rc-erve, was as barcless ns it was mischievous. Mr. Macdonald read a statement. made by an ex-president of the Officers' Institute, at a conference with tho General Manager, to the effect that the Institute had a great deal to thank I the Department for in adjusting matters of excessive hours, and that in nearly- every ease improvement had been effected. Mr. Macdonald went on to say that where the schedule differed from the Institute's, the original demands was in the maxima attached to higher grades. The reason was, that the originating cause for the revision of wages and conditions at that time was a rise in the cost of living. The Department had practically met the Institute on their own terms for those grades mainly affected by tho cost of living, and while granting material increases to higher grades, did not go the whole length of the Institute’s demands. He denied that the administration of the scale by the Department compared unfavourably with that of other departments. It must be obvious to the Board that an assessment of the value of service rendered by men in various positions in the departments of the State, was a matter for administrative officers to settle. In regard to facilities for promotion, both Department and-Institute were anxious to give efficient men opportunities to get to tbe top. There was no lack of sympathy on the part of the manage ment. and every trouble was taken to understand the aims and aspirations of tlib staff. The management recognised that a high standard of service, such as was required of a staff carrying special responsibilities, could not be obtained if men were discontented. SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS MADE. Mr. Macdonald said the explanation of tho apparently uncompromising attitude of the Department in respect to claims placed before the Board, lay in the fact that the Department had in tho Government Railways Act, passed nut two months ago, made substantial improvements in pay and conditions of the staff respecting overtime and night rates. The added sum of over £250,000 to the Department’s expenditure, in addition to war bonus to staff, was made a fixed addition to the pay, with full Consideration of circumstances. not only of the Department, but of the country. It was decided that improvements made were as far as the management could go. There was. however, no desire on the part of tbe management to- adhere rigidly to that decision in the event of the cost of living still advancing. If circumstances should materially alter, the whole question would be re-opened, and further improvements made to meet the change of conditions. The present claims must therefore be viewed in the light of improvements already granted, and it was submitted there bad been no such material change in conditions-of life as would justify a revision of provisions already made. DEMANDS UNREASONABLE.

The management fully recognised its obligations to pay a living wage, but submitted it was at present discharging that obligation. It was estimated that the an.on nt required to meet the claims of the First Division would exceed £306.000 a year, and an aggregate sum to meet the claims of three societies was £1,630,000. This did not include the cost of granting extended leave, sought by the Second Division Societies. which would be in the vicinity of £350,000 for the first year, and a recurring annual liability of nearly £lOO,OOO. .It would be seen that tbe sum mentioned would more than absorb the whole of the net revenue .of the Department, which last vear amounted to £1,680.000. THE TAXPAYER’S LOSS, Concluding bis address Mr. Macdonald said nothing was more certain to stimulate development of the motor traffic competition, than high railway freights, which the Department was trviug to avoid He condemned as absolutely unjust, tbe proposal to run railways at a loss to be borne by the gtmeral taxpayer, in order that railwaymen might get higher pay. _ This closed the case for the first division. The Commission adjourned till to-mo now.